Stricter environmental management called for


Namthern II project

Laos will pay closer attention to assessing the environmental impacts of future development projects to ensure local communities do not suffer.

To this end, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency is supporting the Water Resource and Environment Administration (WREA) in environmental management, to improve standards of living and reduce environmental impacts.

The WREA began the environmental management project in 2000. Phase I took place from 2000 to 2005 and the organisation is continuing to implement phase II, which will run until 2010.

Around 60 representatives from the WREA, water resource and environment officials and provincial coordinators met in Vientiane yesterday to discuss and share opinions on environmental laws and policies and to decide on future strategies.



The meeting was attended by the Deputy Head of the WREA, Mr Noulinh Sinbandhit, and the Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sweden to Laos , Ms AnnLis Aberg.

The meeting reported on last year's project activities and outcomes and reviewed the main results of activities implemented from October to February.

The meeting was important for project development because the participants would be airing their views on improving work plans, policies and action strategies, said Mr Noulinh.

He hoped participants' ideas would benefit project activities and environmental management in Laos .



The government has approved many projects on land currently used for farming, such as hydropower dams, factories and mining exploration, which are having a wide environmental impact, said Ms Aberg.

“We need to be able to check the environmental impact of any development and set suitable rules to protect against harmful effects,” she said.

Ms Aberg said it is important that staff involved in environmental impact studies, especially project members from the central to the provincial level, have adequate skills and knowledge.

“If we pay more attention to actively implementing strong environmental management, people will be able to continue enjoying the places they have been living in for a long time well into the future,” she added.

By KHAMPHONE SYVONGXAY
Vientianetimes
Photo: flickr